Brazil prepares for World Cup final with its biggest ever security operation

Brazilian authorities say they are planning Rio de Janeiro’s largest ever security operation for the World Cup final on Sunday. More than 25,000 security personnel will be deployed in the city for the tournament’s final match between Germany and Argentina, officials say. Heads of state, including German leader Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin, will attend the match. About 75,000 fans are expected to watch the final at Rio’s Maracana stadium.

This will be the biggest security operation that the city or country has ever seen. We need to ensure that this event goes off like all the other games in the World Cup.

Senior local government official Jose Mariano Beltrane

Police, soldiers and firefighters will be involved in security operations, and 25 ships are expected to monitor the city’s coast. Security will also be stronger in areas where thousands of Argentinians are gathering and camping out - city authorities expect up to 70,000 fans from the neighbouring country for the final, the BBC said. The tournament’s third-place playoff - between hosts Brazil and the Netherlands - takes place on Saturday evening in the capital Brasilia.

Sports Security in Rio